'Referee was right' or 'badly thought-out rule'? Fans on penalty callpublished at 19:05 BST 1 October
Image source, Disney+After Leah Williamson's blunder on Wednesday led to a penalty being given to Paris FC against Arsenal, we asked you for your thoughts on the decision.
Here's a sample of what you said:
Anna: It was a mistake but the referee was right with the decision to award a penalty. It was a handball from a direct pass.
Chris: Seen this numerous times in the Premier League and I am surprised it hasn't been picked up regularly.
Adam: Experienced players like her should be aware of that. It's obviously just a heat-of-the-moment lack of judgement, but it has cost her team big time.
Arthur: This is harsh. Williamson obviously didn't think the ball was in play otherwise she wouldn't have handballed it.
Vic: A goal-kick was always taken on the white line, either left or right. In the video the goalkeeper nonchalantly taps the ball to the player on the white line. Therefore, it hasn't been taken and the decision is wrong.
Zxcv: 'It's the rule'. Yes, but what if it's a really badly thought-out rule? Which it is, if a plainly unintentional and otherwise inconsequential act can change the result. Most people think of a goal kick being taken with the ball on the line of the six-yard box. Just make that a requirement and there's no more confusion. You can't take any other dead ball restart from wherever you like.
